KEEP LOOKING UP!

COMPROMISE Dr. McLain used to say that “compromise” was the worst word in the English language. Have you ever wondered how “compromise” gets started? Compromise begins the moment our desire for man’s praise exceeds our desire for God’s praise. Compromise occurs when our hunger to gain respect in men’s eyes outweighs our hunger to please God. Fifty years ago, every American understood that killing a baby was wrong. Today, that subject is too argumentative and political. Fifty years ago, homosexual behavior was unacceptable with the populace. Today, any preaching against homosexual behavior is labeled hateful and intolerant. Fifty years ago, every American recognized marriage as being between one man and one woman. Today, we must not only recognize, but if we fail to endorse same sex marriage we are branded as a mean and vicious individual. What caused the 180 degree turn around? First, let me begin by stating that man never changes upward, always downward. Mankind hates that about himself…he just will not face it. That is the reason that evolution is so popular. Evolution is a theory that does not have one proven example; no one has ever been caught evolving anywhere at any time; yet man wants to believe he started low and is progressing higher. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 We want to believe this lie so badly that we require it be taught to our children in school. There is not one shred of evidence or scientific fact to support evolution, yet our education (?) system demands our children learn such drivel. Israel’s first king, Saul, was the epitome of most of our modern day religious leaders. Saul was saved (1 Samuel 10:10,) publicly ordained by God and exalted to the high position of Israel’s king (1 Samuel 10:24.) Saul had a great beginning and a bad ending. First, Saul became his own god and ignored God’s authority (1 Samuel 13:9.) When confronted by God’s real prophet Samuel, Saul erupted with all kinds of excuses (1 Samuel 13:11-12.) When Samuel pronounced Saul guilty, Saul showed no signs of remorse or repentance. Saul was given another chance with the Amaleks and King Agag; he was to destroy every living creature in the city of Amalek. He obstinately disobeyed God’s orders and took it upon himself whom he would destroy and whom he would not. (1 Samuel 15:3, 8-9.) When challenged by Samuel he outright lied (1 Samuel 15:13,) then blamed others (1 Samuel 15:15.) Saul might have believed his own lies, but Samuel didn’t and God certainly didn’t. Saul could use all the excuses and explanations he could conjure up, but God and God’s true prophet were not deceived. What are the excuses today? We must change…change our message…change our programs…change our Bible…change the church. What good is it to have thousands of people and then feed them slop? America and its churches have been in this change mode for a lot of years now and look where we are spiritually. The reason our young people don’t know any better is because we have not taught them any better. There has been little, if any, preaching on sin and judgment. The pulpit has been silent on perversion, sinfulness and punishment. The carnal approach is always “what will work?” instead of “what is God’s will?” No one mentions Paul’s advice to Timothy regarding the last days in 2 Timothy 3. After enumerating the problems in verses 1-13, notice Paul’s instruction is to “CONTINUE.” Paul told Timothy to keep doing what he had been doing. There is not one word about change in the entire passage! Paul told Timothy to practice what he had learned from his mother and grandmother. Isn’t it odd that our “modern day Saul’s” initiate change in direct disobedience to what Paul told Timothy in the last instructions that he ever gave anyone? “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (emphasis mine) Notice how God classifies obedience to His word and also how He classifies disobedience, which is rebellion. If success and numbers were the sole criterion for spirituality, then Job (Job 19:18-19) and Paul (2 Timothy 4:16-18) were lousy Christians. Past servants of God have risked their lives, their reputations, bank accounts and future because they were willing to stand up for God’s truths. The modern minister will slant, twist or replace God’s truth to enhance his reputation and bank account. Keep Looking Up! In loving memory of Leland Maples

KEEP LOOKING UP!

COMPROMISE Dr. McLain used to say that “compromise” was the worst word in the English language. Have you ever wondered how “compromise” gets started? Compromise begins the moment our desire for man’s praise exceeds our desire for God’s praise. Compromise occurs when our hunger to gain respect in men’s eyes outweighs our hunger to please God. Fifty years ago, every American understood that killing a baby was wrong. Today, that subject is too argumentative and political. Fifty years ago, homosexual behavior was unacceptable with the populace. Today, any preaching against homosexual behavior is labeled hateful and intolerant. Fifty years ago, every American recognized marriage as being between one man and one woman. Today, we must not only recognize, but if we fail to endorse same sex marriage we are branded as a mean and vicious individual. What caused the 180 degree turn around? First, let me begin by stating that man never changes upward, always downward. Mankind hates that about himself…he just will not face it. That is the reason that evolution is so popular. Evolution is a theory that does not have one proven example; no one has ever been caught evolving anywhere at any time; yet man wants to believe he started low and is progressing higher. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 We want to believe this lie so badly that we require it be taught to our children in school. There is not one shred of evidence or scientific fact to support evolution, yet our education (?) system demands our children learn such drivel. Israel’s first king, Saul, was the epitome of most of our modern day religious leaders. Saul was saved (1 Samuel 10:10,) publicly ordained by God and exalted to the high position of Israel’s king (1 Samuel 10:24.) Saul had a great beginning and a bad ending. First, Saul became his own god and ignored God’s authority (1 Samuel 13:9.) When confronted by God’s real prophet Samuel, Saul erupted with all kinds of excuses (1 Samuel 13:11-12.) When Samuel pronounced Saul guilty, Saul showed no signs of remorse or repentance. Saul was given another chance with the Amaleks and King Agag; he was to destroy every living creature in the city of Amalek. He obstinately disobeyed God’s orders and took it upon himself whom he would destroy and whom he would not. (1 Samuel 15:3, 8-9.) When challenged by Samuel he outright lied (1 Samuel 15:13,) then blamed others (1 Samuel 15:15.) Saul might have believed his own lies, but Samuel didn’t and God certainly didn’t. Saul could use all the excuses and explanations he could conjure up, but God and God’s true prophet were not deceived. What are the excuses today? We must change…change our message…change our programs…change our Bible…change the church. What good is it to have thousands of people and then feed them slop? America and its churches have been in this change mode for a lot of years now and look where we are spiritually. The reason our young people don’t know any better is because we have not taught them any better. There has been little, if any, preaching on sin and judgment. The pulpit has been silent on perversion, sinfulness and punishment. The carnal approach is always “what will work?” instead of “what is God’s will?” No one mentions Paul’s advice to Timothy regarding the last days in 2 Timothy 3. After enumerating the problems in verses 1-13, notice Paul’s instruction is to “CONTINUE.” Paul told Timothy to keep doing what he had been doing. There is not one word about change in the entire passage! Paul told Timothy to practice what he had learned from his mother and grandmother. Isn’t it odd that our “modern day Saul’s” initiate change in direct disobedience to what Paul told Timothy in the last instructions that he ever gave anyone? “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (emphasis mine) Notice how God classifies obedience to His word and also how He classifies disobedience, which is rebellion. If success and numbers were the sole criterion for spirituality, then Job (Job 19:18-19) and Paul (2 Timothy 4:16- 18) were lousy Christians. Past servants of God have risked their lives, their reputations, bank accounts and future because they were willing to stand up for God’s truths. The modern minister will slant, twist or replace God’s truth to enhance his reputation and bank account. Keep Looking Up! In loving memory of Leland Maples